A projection image of a three dimensional image is generated and displayed and a three dimensional target point corresponding to a designated two-dimensional target point is set to the three dimensional image. A reference cross-section is set to the three dimensional image by using the three dimensional target point. A cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the reference cross-section in which an object close to a point of view that faces the reference cross-section is not displayed is generated. An instruction to change the position of the point of view, using the three dimensional target point based on the cross-sectional two-dimensional image as a reference point, in order to align an observation direction of a structure to which the three dimensional target point is set with a target three dimensional direction is received. A new reference cross-section is set. A new cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the new reference cross-section is generated.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus comprising: a processor configured to perform, generating a two-dimensional projection image from a three dimensional image indicating a three dimensional object; receiving the designation of a two-dimensional target point which is a target point on the projection image, setting a three dimensional target point corresponding to the two-dimensional target point to the three dimensional image, setting a reference cross-section to the three dimensional image on the basis of the three dimensional target point, generating a cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the reference cross-section in which an object located on a point of view side of the reference cross-section included in the three dimensional image is not displayed, the point of view is located on a line that passes through the three dimensional target point and the line is perpendicular to the reference cross-section and the point of view faces the reference cross-section, displaying the cross-sectional two-dimensional image on a display unit, and generating the projection image, displaying the projection image, receiving the designation of the two-dimensional target point, setting the three dimensional target point, setting the reference cross-section, generating the cross-sectional two-dimensional image, displaying the cross-sectional two-dimensional image, receiving an instruction to change the position of a point of view, using the three dimensional target point based on the cross-sectional two-dimensional image as a reference point, in order to align an observation direction of a structure to which the three dimensional target point is set with a target three dimensional direction, sets a new reference cross-section on the basis of the changed position of the point of view, generating a new cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the new reference cross-section, and displaying the new cross-sectional two-dimensional image to determine a three dimensional direction for observing the three dimensional image.
A 3D orientation configuration apparatus lets users view and orient a 3D object. It works by first creating and showing a 2D projection of the 3D object. The user selects a point on this 2D projection, which is then mapped to a 3D point on the actual object. A cross-section is created through the 3D object, centered on the selected 3D point. The apparatus shows a 2D image of this cross-section, but hides anything in the 3D object that's in front of the cross-section from the viewer's perspective. The user can then adjust the viewing angle to align the selected 3D point with a desired orientation. The system then creates and shows a new cross-section based on the changed viewing angle, allowing the user to accurately determine the best 3D viewing direction.
2. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, setting the three dimensional target point in the structure to which the two-dimensional target point is set.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from the previous description makes sure that when the user picks a point on the 2D projection, the corresponding 3D point is set on the structure that the user selected. This ensures that the cross-sections and subsequent orientation adjustments are based on the specific part of the 3D object the user wants to focus on and align.
3. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating, as the cross-sectional two-dimensional image, a two-dimensional projection image of the three dimensional image in which the object located on the point of view side of the reference cross-section is not displayed.
In the 3D orientation configuration apparatus described before, the 2D cross-sectional image is created by projecting the 3D object onto the cross-section plane, but only showing the parts of the 3D object that are behind the cross-section from the current viewpoint. This provides a clear view of the object's internal structure at that cross-section, without visual clutter from foreground elements.
4. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating, as the cross-sectional two-dimensional image, a two-dimensional projection image of the three dimensional image in which the object located on the point of view side of the reference cross-section is not displayed.
In the 3D orientation configuration apparatus where the 3D point is set to the structure selected by the user, the 2D cross-sectional image is generated by projecting the 3D object onto the cross-section plane, but only showing the portions that are behind the cross-section from the viewpoint. This offers a clear view of the internal structure at the selected location without visual obstructions.
5. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating a cross-sectional image in the reference cross-section of the three dimensional image as the cross-sectional two-dimensional image.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from the initial description creates the 2D cross-sectional image by directly cutting through the 3D object at the reference cross-section and displaying the resulting 2D slice. This displays a true cross-sectional view of the object at the specified point.
6. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating a cross-sectional image in the reference cross-section of the three dimensional image as the cross-sectional two-dimensional image.
In the 3D orientation configuration apparatus where the 3D point is set to the structure selected by the user, the 2D cross-sectional image is obtained by directly cutting the 3D object at the reference cross-section and displaying the exact 2D slice at that point.
7. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, combining a cross-sectional image in the reference cross-section with a two-dimensional projection image of the three dimensional image in which the object locating the point of view side of the reference cross-section is not displayed to generate the cross-sectional two-dimensional image.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from the first description makes the 2D cross-sectional image by combining two things: first, a direct cross-sectional slice of the 3D object, and second, a 2D projection of the rest of the 3D object behind that slice (from the viewer's perspective). This gives context to the slice within the overall 3D object.
8. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, combining a cross-sectional image in the reference cross-section with a two-dimensional projection image of the three dimensional image in which the object located on the point of view side of the reference cross-section is not displayed to generate the cross-sectional two-dimensional image.
In the 3D orientation configuration apparatus where the 3D point is set to the structure selected by the user, the 2D cross-sectional image is made by mixing a direct cross-sectional view with a 2D projection showing the remainder of the object located behind the cross-section from the viewpoint.
9. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating the cross-sectional two-dimensional image such that the three dimensional target point is located at the center.
In the initial 3D orientation configuration apparatus, the 2D cross-sectional image is displayed in a way that the selected 3D target point is at the very center of the displayed image. This helps the user to easily focus on the area of interest and orient themselves correctly.
10. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating the cross-sectional two-dimensional image such that the three dimensional target point is located at the center.
In the 3D orientation configuration apparatus where the 3D point is set to the structure selected by the user, the 2D cross-sectional image is shown centered on the selected 3D target point, focusing the user's view on the exact location of interest.
11. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating the cross-sectional two-dimensional image of an area in a predetermined range that has the three dimensional target point of the reference cross-section as a reference point.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus, as initially described, generates the 2D cross-sectional image by showing a specific area around the 3D target point on the reference cross-section. The target point acts as a reference, so the user sees a detailed close-up of the area immediately surrounding their selection.
12. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, generating the cross-sectional two-dimensional image of an area in a predetermined range that has the three dimensional target point of the reference cross-section as a reference point.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus where the 3D point is set to the structure selected by the user creates the 2D cross-sectional view focusing on a specific predetermined area around the 3D target point, with the target point acting as the reference point for the view.
13. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , the processor further configured to perform, calculating a coincidence between a pixel value on a line that extends from the three dimensional target point in the target three dimensional direction and a pixel value of the three dimensional target point in the three dimensional image and displays the coincidence on the display unit.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from the first description helps align the view by calculating how well a line extending from the 3D target point matches the pixel values in the target 3D direction and shows the result on screen. The user sees a measure of alignment, aiding in setting the correct orientation.
14. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, setting the reference cross-section for generating an initial cross-sectional two-dimensional image so as to be perpendicular to a line connecting the point of view of the projection image and the three dimensional target point.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from claim 1 sets up the initial cross-section to be perpendicular to the line of sight between the initial viewpoint and the selected 3D target point. This provides a natural starting point for adjusting the view and exploring the 3D object's structure around the target point.
15. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, performing principal component analysis for an area including the three dimensional target point in the three dimensional image to estimate a direction in which the structure having the three dimensional target point set thereto is present, and setting the reference cross-section on the basis of the estimated direction.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from claim 1 figures out the likely direction of a structure around the selected 3D target point using principal component analysis (PCA). PCA identifies the main axes of variation in the 3D data. The reference cross-section is then aligned based on this estimated direction.
16. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, the processor further configured to perform, when the target three dimensional direction is parallel to the reference cross-section, capable of setting the target three dimensional direction to a desired direction on the reference cross-section.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from claim 1 lets the user freely set the target 3D direction to anything they want on the reference cross-section, but *only* if the desired direction is parallel to the plane of the cross-section.
17. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein, the processor further configured to perform, when the target three dimensional direction is parallel to the reference cross-section, performing the principal component analysis for an area including the three dimensional target point in the reference cross-section of the three dimensional image to estimate the direction in which the structure having the three dimensional target point set thereto is present, and setting the target three dimensional direction on the basis of the estimated direction.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from claim 1 first figures out the main direction of a structure around the selected 3D target point using principal component analysis (PCA) *only* when the target direction is parallel to the reference cross-section. Then the target 3D direction is set based on PCA calculated result.
18. The three dimensional orientation configuration apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor further configured to perform, receiving the instruction to change the position of the point of view and controlling such that the setting of the new reference cross-section, the generation of the new cross-sectional two-dimensional image, and the display of the new cross-sectional two-dimensional image are repeated, until the observation direction of the structure to which the three dimensional target point is set is aligned with the target three dimensional direction.
The 3D orientation configuration apparatus from claim 1 automatically repeats the process of changing the viewpoint, creating a new cross-section, and displaying it, based on user input. It continues to loop, refining the view, until the direction aligns with the desired 3D target direction.
19. A three dimensional orientation configuration method using a computer comprising: generating a two-dimensional projection image from a three dimensional image indicating a three dimensional object; receiving the designation of a two-dimensional target point which is a target point on the projection image; setting a three dimensional target point corresponding to the two-dimensional target point to the three dimensional image; setting a reference cross-section to the three dimensional image on the basis of the three dimensional target point; generating a cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the reference cross-section in which an object located on a point of view side of the reference cross-section included in the three dimensional image is not displayed, the point of view is located on a line that passes through the three dimensional target point and the line is perpendicular to the reference cross-section and the point of view faces the reference cross-section; displaying the cross-sectional two-dimensional image on the display unit; receiving an instruction to change the position of the point of view, using the three dimensional target point based on the cross-sectional two-dimensional image as a reference point, in order to align an observation direction of a structure to which the three dimensional target point is set with a target three dimensional direction; setting a new reference cross-section on the basis of the changed position of the point of view; generating a new cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the new reference cross-section; and displaying the new cross-sectional two-dimensional image to determine a three dimensional direction for observing the three dimensional image.
A 3D orientation configuration method lets users view and orient a 3D object. It works by first creating and showing a 2D projection of the 3D object. The user selects a point on this 2D projection, which is then mapped to a 3D point on the actual object. A cross-section is created through the 3D object, centered on the selected 3D point. The method shows a 2D image of this cross-section, but hides anything in the 3D object that's in front of the cross-section from the viewer's perspective. The user can then adjust the viewing angle to align the selected 3D point with a desired orientation. The method then creates and shows a new cross-section based on the changed viewing angle, allowing the user to accurately determine the best 3D viewing direction.
20. A non transitory computer readable medium storing a three dimensional orientation configuration program, the program causes a computer to perform: a process of generating a two-dimensional projection image from a three dimensional image indicating a three dimensional object; a process of receiving the designation of a two-dimensional target point which is a target point on the projection image; a process of setting a three dimensional target point corresponding to the two-dimensional target point to the three dimensional image; a process of setting a reference cross-section to the three dimensional image on the basis of the three dimensional target point; a process of generating a cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the reference cross-section in which an object located on a point of view side of the reference cross-section included in the three dimensional image is not displayed, the point of view is located on a line that passes through the three dimensional target point and the line is perpendicular to the reference cross-section and the point of view faces the reference cross-section; a process of displaying the cross-sectional two-dimensional image on the display unit; a process of receiving an instruction to change the position of the point of view, using the three dimensional target point based on the cross-sectional two-dimensional image as a reference point, in order to align an observation direction of a structure to which the three dimensional target point is set with a target three dimensional direction; a process of setting a new reference cross-section on the basis of the changed position of the point of view; a process of generating a new cross-sectional two-dimensional image of the new reference cross-section; and a process of displaying the new cross-sectional two-dimensional image to determine a three dimensional direction for observing the three dimensional image.
A computer program, stored on a non-transitory medium, performs a 3D orientation configuration. The program starts by creating and showing a 2D projection of the 3D object. The user selects a point on this 2D projection, which is then mapped to a 3D point on the actual object. A cross-section is created through the 3D object, centered on the selected 3D point. The program shows a 2D image of this cross-section, but hides anything in the 3D object that's in front of the cross-section from the viewer's perspective. The user can then adjust the viewing angle to align the selected 3D point with a desired orientation. The program then creates and shows a new cross-section based on the changed viewing angle, allowing the user to accurately determine the best 3D viewing direction.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 23, 2015
March 7, 2017
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